Senator Kerry’s characterization of President Bush’s initiative on Social Security as a “surprise” illuminates just how skittish the man from Massachusetts is in respect of change, even change for the better. His campaign released a new television commercial accusing President Bush of intending to privatize Social Security. “The truth is coming out…George Bush has finally admitted that he intends to privatize Social Security in a second term,” the ad says. In a statement, Mr. Kerry characterized Mr. Bush’s plan as a “surprise” four times. But in fact there is nothing surprising about the news that Mr. Bush wants to allow young workers to have private accounts as part of Social Security.

Mr. Bush said it in his speech in August 2000 when he accepted his first Republican nomination for president. “Social Security has been called the third rail of American politics, the one you’re not supposed to touch because it might shock you. But if you don’t touch it, you cannot fix it. And I intend to fix it,” Mr. Bush said. “To the seniors in this country, you earned your benefits, you made your plans, and President George W. Bush will keep the promise of Social Security, no changes, no reductions, no way. Our opponents will say otherwise. This is their last parting ploy, and don’t believe a word of it.”

The candidate continued: “Now is the time – now is the time for Republicans and Democrats to end the politics of fear and save Social Security together. For younger workers, we will give you the option, your choice, to put part of your payroll taxes into sound, responsible investments. This will mean a higher return on your money in over 30 or 40 years, a nest egg to help your retirement or to pass on to your children. When this money is in your name, in your account, it’s just not a program, it’s your property.”

No sooner did Mr. Bush accede than he appointed a bipartisan commission co chaired by Senator Moynihan, which soon recommended private accounts. Mr. Bush spoke of the plan in his January 2002 State of the Union address. “We must make Social Security financially stable and allow personal retirement accounts for younger workers who choose them,” he said. The president returned to the theme in his State of the Union address in January 2003.”As we continue to work together to keep Social Security sound and reliable, we must offer younger workers a chance to invest in retirement accounts that they will control and they will own,” Mr. Bush said.

Social security reform was also mentioned in Mr. Bush’s next State of the Union address, in January 2004. “Younger workers should have the opportunity to build a nest egg by saving part of their Social Security taxes in a personal retirement account.” Mr. Bush also spoke of the issue in his speech last month at the Republican convention in New York. We will always keep the promise of Social Security for our older workers. … We must strengthen Social Security by allowing younger workers to save some of their taxes in a personal account, a nest egg you can call your own, and government can never take away,” he said.

It’s hard to think of a record, a commitment more public or consistent. Mr. Bush has been speaking of this plan for four years. He’s spoken of it in some of his highest-profile speeches, including all three State of the Union speeches and both speeches accepting the presidential nomination. One can agree with the merits of the proposal or disagree with it. But it is dishonest for Mr. Kerry to claim that this is a “surprise” or that Mr. Bush “has finally admitted” it. It is not a surprise to anyone who has been paying the slightest bit of attention. What is surprising is that Mr. Kerry would stoop to this kind of deception in an effort to mislead elderly voters who depend on Social Security. To which we say, in the spirit of the season, “boo.”